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The document outlines the evolution of China-Africa relations from early diplomatic ties to a complex modern partnership. It highlights the role of FOCAC as a primary vehicle for cooperation, the shift toward a 'New Normal' characterized by slowing economic growth and commodity price drops, and China's increasing involvement in African peace and security, marking a departure from its traditional 'non-interference' policy.

The document explores the potential for the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to monitor Agenda 2063 and the SDGs, noting strong normative and thematic alignment. However, it identifies critical barriers, including administrative weaknesses, lack of funding, and slow review cycles, which currently render the APRM incapable of the extensive monitoring required. The authors suggest that for the APRM to succeed, it must undergo substantial reform, improve the frequency of its reviews, and enhance its data-gathering capabilities through ICT and partnerships.

The document outlines a strategic process for landscape restoration leaders to transition from a reliance on public finance to attracting private investment. It details four essential steps: identifying and engaging the right investors based on risk tolerance and growth stage; developing a comprehensive business plan focusing on the business model, management, finance, and deal structure; establishing a legal investable entity to channel funds; and tracking financial and operating performance to provide proof of concept. The guide emphasizes that private investors, except for impact investors, prioritize financial returns over environmental benefits and compare restoration ventures against opportunities in other industries.

The report examines how foreign agricultural investments interact with gender inequalities across five dimensions: land rights, productive resources, household labour, employment, and decision making. It compares five Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) and five Responsible Investment Frameworks, finding that while VSS focus more on employment conditions, responsible investment frameworks are stronger on land rights. Evidence suggests that VSS often fail to improve women's land ownership and can inadvertently increase women's unpaid labour burdens. The author recommends that investors and host governments adopt explicit gender strategies, ensure women's participation in negotiations, and monitor gender-disaggregated data to prevent the reproduction of local gender inequalities.

The paper analyzes the relationship between China and Ethiopia, highlighting how Ethiopia's 'developmental state' model and strategic location in the Horn of Africa make it a key partner for China. It details Chinese investments in infrastructure, energy, and telecommunications, while noting that China's political influence is constrained by Ethiopia's strong national pride and centralized power structures. The document also explores China's increasing role in regional stability through the African Union and IGAD.

The document argues that climate action must be integrated into macroeconomic planning and sectoral policies to achieve 'triple wins' for mitigation, adaptation, and poverty eradication. It highlights the necessity of political leadership, cross-government coordination, and the use of 'knowledge brokers' to translate scientific data into actionable policy. The report emphasizes that while international finance is a catalyst, domestic resource mobilisation and the removal of fossil fuel subsidies are critical for long-term sustainability. Case studies from Asia, Africa, and Latin America illustrate the importance of gender-sensitive approaches, participatory planning, and the role of non-state actors in scaling up local innovations to national levels.

The 2015–16 drought in Ethiopia was an exceptionally rare event, likely occurring once every few hundred years in central and north-eastern regions, exacerbated by El Niño. It affected 9.7 million people, causing over 75% crop loss in most affected areas and the death of one million livestock. While the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) and government resources provided critical support, the event demonstrated that existing preparedness systems are limited when facing very extreme events. However, outcomes were better than the droughts of 1973 and 1984, indicating improved resilience.

The 2016–2017 drought in Kenya, declared a national emergency in February 2017, was primarily driven by sea surface temperature patterns, specifically La Niña. While attribution analysis found no strong climate change signal in rainfall trends, it concluded that temperatures during the drought were hotter than they would have been without human-induced climate change. The drought severely impacted 23 counties, leaving up to 4 million people in need of food aid by April 2017, though it was less extreme than the 2010–2011 event.

The report finds that finance for energy access is significantly below the levels required to meet SDG 7 by 2030. Annual electricity commitments in 20 high-impact countries averaged $19.4 billion, far short of the estimated $45 billion needed. Clean cooking finance is described as 'shockingly low,' averaging just $32 million per year against an estimated need of $4.4 billion. The analysis highlights a heavy bias toward grid-connected infrastructure and a critical lack of funding for decentralized solutions, which receive only 1% of electricity finance. It also notes significant disbursement delays in 69% of electricity commitments. The report recommends integrated policy approaches, increased support for decentralized energy enterprises, and bold, market-based strategies for clean cooking fuels.

The document examines the gap between Africa's formal legal commitments to freedom of movement and the actual practice of migration governance. While the African Union and various Regional Economic Communities have established frameworks to promote labour mobility and economic integration, implementation remains inconsistent. West Africa is highlighted as the most advanced model, whereas Southern Africa is noted for a securitised approach to migration. The brief argues that aligning regional policies and improving communication on the net benefits of migration are essential for unlocking the continent's development potential.

The document analyzes Ethiopia's rapid economic growth and human development progress since 1991, while highlighting persistent gaps in basic service access and agricultural productivity. Using the International Futures (IFs) forecasting system, it compares a 'Current Path' forecast against various intervention scenarios, concluding that an integrated approach across agriculture, education, health, and governance is necessary to reach lower-middle-income status by 2025.

The document forecasts that Africa's population will grow to over 1.8 billion by 2035, potentially compounding poverty if economic growth and job creation do not keep pace. While economic growth is expected, it will be heterogeneous, with oil-dependent nations remaining vulnerable to price shocks. The region faces significant infrastructure gaps, particularly in electricity and water, and rapid urbanisation that may increase social instability. Despite a rise in riots and protests, high-fatality violence is lower than in the 1990s. Popular support for democracy remains strong, although actual democratic governance remains fragile and limited in scope.

The document outlines a framework for financing National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes, distinguishing between the development phase (planning and coordination) and the implementation phase (execution of adaptation actions). It identifies domestic public revenues, bilateral providers, multilateral funds, and private sector actors as key funding sources. The guide emphasizes the need for a dedicated financing strategy to bridge funding gaps and align national priorities with available financial instruments, while highlighting the critical role of senior-level political commitment and the integration of adaptation costs into national budgeting cycles.

The document outlines a comprehensive framework for financing National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes, distinguishing between the lower-cost 'development phase' (planning and coordination) and the high-cost 'implementation phase' (execution of adaptation actions). It identifies four primary funding streams: national public finance (budgets, fiscal instruments, and national climate funds), bilateral providers (grants and technical assistance), multilateral funds (such as the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund), and the private sector (through direct investment and public-private partnerships). The guide emphasizes the necessity of a tailored financing strategy that identifies funding gaps, determines appropriate financial instruments, and establishes operational steps to align national adaptation priorities with available resources.

The document outlines a strategic framework for financing National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes, distinguishing between the 'elaboration phase' (planning and coordination) and the 'execution phase' (implementation of priority measures). It identifies four primary funding streams: domestic public revenues, bilateral providers, multilateral funds, and the private sector. While elaboration is typically funded by public and bilateral grants, the more costly execution phase requires a diversified mix of public and private capital. The brief recommends that countries develop a dedicated NAP financing strategy that identifies funding gaps, determines appropriate financial instruments, and defines operational steps to improve access to resources.

The report finds that current finance flows for decentralized energy access are insufficient to meet national targets, with a particularly severe gap in the clean cooking sector. While enterprises in Kenya and Bangladesh show some success through PAYGO models and local currency debt, most others rely heavily on equity and grants. Key barriers include high collateral requirements, currency volatility, and a lack of local debt for SMEs.

The report finds that development finance for energy access is poorly targeted and inefficiently disbursed, with a significant gap between financial commitments and actual on-the-ground implementation, particularly in high-impact countries.

The report finds that current financial commitments for energy access are significantly below the levels required to meet 2030 universal access goals. For electricity, annual commitments averaged $19.4 billion, far short of the estimated $45 billion needed, with 90% of funds targeting centralized grid infrastructure. Clean cooking investment is critically low, averaging only $32 million per year against a minimum estimated need of $4.4 billion. The analysis highlights a heavy reliance on international public finance and a significant gap in tracking domestic private investment.

The report finds that finance flows to decentralized energy access enterprises are significantly lower than required to meet national targets, with a particularly severe gap in the clean cooking sector. While some markets like Kenya are dynamic due to PAYGO models and mobile money, others like Ethiopia and Myanmar struggle with severe foreign exchange restrictions and a heavy reliance on grants. Across all five countries, high collateral requirements from banks and currency volatility are primary barriers to obtaining debt. The study estimates that annual finance needs for Tiers 1-3 energy access in these five countries are approximately $3.97 billion, while the total estimated cost for meeting clean cooking targets through 2030 across four of the countries is $18.44 billion per year.

The report finds that finance for energy access is significantly below the levels required to meet SDG 7 by 2030. While electricity commitments averaged $19.4 billion annually in 2013-14, this is far short of the estimated $45 billion needed. Clean cooking finance is described as 'shockingly low', averaging only $32 million per year for residential use. The analysis highlights a heavy bias toward grid-connected infrastructure and a critical lack of funding for decentralized solutions, which receive only 1% of electricity finance. It recommends integrated policy approaches, the scaling of market-based clean cooking strategies, and the removal of financial barriers for small energy enterprises.